Suitcases full of uncut cocaine seized at Port of Halifax

Halifax border agents found more than 46 kilograms of uncut cocaine hidden in a cargo container carrying suitcases last month.

The container, which was on its way to Montreal from Panama, was searched May 2, but the Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP announced the seizure Wednesday.

Dominic Mallette, the agency’s chief of operations for Nova Scotia, said there were 207 suitcases inside the container.

“Our officers at the Port of Halifax examined the container,” Mallette said.

“Using X-ray detection technology equipment, we scanned all suitcases on board the container. We found 10 of the suitcases had contraband sealed packages within the back wall.”

The flat plastic packages each held about 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, and all of them were on display at a news conference inside the RCMP’s Dartmouth headquarters.

Mallette refused to provide a dollar amount for the drugs.

On May 15, police arrested four men in Montreal, but no charges had been laid by Wednesday. The four are all from South America, but Mallette would not specify the country because the police investigation is ongoing.

Mallette said the border services agency checks information pertaining to every container arriving in Halifax and identifies high-risk ones for closer examination.

“Our techniques are highly effective and they’re getting better every day. We have better technology.”

He said seizures of a similar size happen about three or four times a year in Halifax. In most cases, the drugs are bound for large centres in Quebec or Ontario.

RCMP Sgt. Keith MacKinnon, of the Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, said the arrested men are allegedly involved in importation.

“We’re continuing the investigation,” MacKinnon said, adding that Mounties will share information with other agencies, including border services.

The amount of seized cocaine suggests the people involved operate on a large scale, he said.

“When you deal with quantities of this level, it’s not a mom-and-pop operation. It’s typically leading to higher levels of organized crime.”

MacKinnon said the cocaine will be held as evidence if the case goes to trial.